Gajendrakumar MP Says ITAK Unfit to Call Protests Against Kivul Oya Project, Urges Civil Groups to Lead

Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has stated that the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) is not qualified to call for protests against the alleged appropriation of land under the Mullaitivu Kivul Oya project, and urged civil society organisations to take responsibility and lead such protests instead.

He made these remarks at a media briefing held on Tuesday at his party headquarters along Kankesanthurai Road in Jaffna.

Gajendrakumar MP said the Kivul Oya project is being used by the government to advance Sinhala colonisation in Tamil areas, and questioned the credibility of ITAK in opposing the project. He pointed out that the Tamil village of Kokachchankulam in the Mullaitivu District was renamed Galabogaswewa and subjected to Sinhala colonisation during the so-called “good governance” administration of Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena, when ITAK was part of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

He recalled that on October 21, 2017, land deeds were issued to Sinhala settlers in Kokachchankulam under the pretext of securing land rights, despite the area being traditionally inhabited by Tamils. He noted that although then Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan did not attend the event due to ill health, a blessing message from him was read by then TNA media spokesperson M.A. Sumanthiran. MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan was also present on the stage at the event, he added.

“In such a context, how can ITAK now claim that Kokachchankulam is about to be taken over and call for protests?” Ponnambalam questioned.

He further criticised ITAK for remaining silent when funds were allocated in the national budget for the implementation of the Kivul Oya project, while now calling for protests due to media attention. He stated that he personally raised objections to the project during the parliamentary budget debate and said his party is prepared to call protests against Kivul Oya if necessary.

Ponnambalam also held ITAK responsible for the Karaitivu (Karaituraipattu) Pradeshiya Sabha being handed over to a government party, alleging that the party deliberately transferred land administration powers in the Mahaweli ‘L’ Zone from Tamil parties to the government.

He accused ITAK and the TNA of engaging in deceptive political actions that undermine Tamil politics, and said such parties have no moral authority to determine the political future of the Tamil people.

While reaffirming his opposition to the Sinhala colonisation of Tamil areas through the Kivul Oya project, Ponnambalam stressed that civil society organisations should come forward to lead the resistance. He said his party would extend its full support to such efforts.

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